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LeAnn Rimes sings in 'Simlish' for The Sims 3: World Adventures, creeps out loved ones
Okay, okay, we're not 100% sure that Ms. Rimes will be creeping out her loved ones by adding her to-be-released track "You've Ruined Me" to The Sims 3's next expansion, World Adventures, but we'll call it an educated guess. Rimes headlines a list of artists found after the break, including a group named Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, who will appear in the expansion singing original songs in the game's fictional language -- "Simlish." The country/pop singer will be offering a rendition of an unreleased track said to be the lead on her upcoming album. Unfortunately, given the nature of "Simlish" (it's untranslatable), fans hoping for the chance to hear the unreleased track early when the expansion launches this November will be out of luck. Unless they're into gibberish languages, that is. %Gallery-70339%
New nonsensical music announced for The Sims 3 World Adventures
EA just announced a few details of the soundtrack for the upcoming Sims 3 expansion The Sims 3 World Adventures. In keeping with the theme, the company will include artists from around the world -- well, sort of. The confirmed artists include Canadian Nelly Furtado, German Stefanie Heinzmann, Americans Matt & Kim, and Young Punx and the previously announced Pixie Lott from the UK. In keeping with Sims tradition, those artists are all re-recording their songs in Simlish. "I think it's really cool to have a song in The Sims 3 World Adventures," Pixie Lott said. "You can go over to a radio in the game, play the Simlish version of "Mama Do," and take that radio with you anywhere you go inside the game!" Yes, you can do that. The list of currently confirmed songs is after the break -- with titles and artists in English for your convenience. %Gallery-70339%
Re-recording music in Simlish is easier than it sounds
Though the "Simlish" language that permeates The Sims (as well as a few other Will Wright-crafted franchises) is largely improvised by the series' voice actors, the musicians that provide the games' soundtracks have a bit more work to do than that. This translation process was recently explained by UK recording artist Pixie Lott in a video diary we've posted after the break.Lott, (who is only 18, you creepy creepster) guides us through the steps required to Sim-ify her current chart-topper, "Mama Do," which sounds suspiciously like "Marmaduke" to our un-indoctrinated American ears. Man, if only!
What's 'Dr Pepper' in Simlish? You'll find out soon
EA and Dr Pepper have announced a "multimillion-dollar marketing agreement" that will add exclusive content to EA games for Dr Pepper consumers, starting with The Sims 3 and spreading to other EA titles throughout 2010."Early next year," Dr Pepper packages will include codes to unlock exclusive downloadable items in The Sims 3. The details are tentative, but the press release offers "one-of-a-kind beach party items or all the elements of a perfect fall tailgating party" as examples -- no doubt examples of downloadable items that will happen to carry the Dr Pepper logo. Though it's less likely Dr Pepper will be able to get away with branding the exclusive content in, say, a Dead Space sequel.
iPhone It In: The Sims 3
I'm not going to sit here and act like I'm not embarrassed by how enthralled I am with the downsized version of The Sims 3 that EA released for the iPhone. But the fact remains: I'm hooked, and I figure if I pass the addiction on to you, I won't seem like such an oddball.I haven't played the new Sims release, so I don't really have that as a frame of reference. What I do know is that all the tropes of the series seem to be here: Create a person, meet their needs and help them get a family, career, the whole bit.%Gallery-66518%
UK chart get: Prototype on top, Ghostbusters debuts at third
According to Chart Track's UK software sales figures from last week, we know the Barry Pepper-voiced free-roamer, Prototype, has managed to secure the top spot. It wasn't an easy battle, as Radical Entertainment's title had some stiff competition in Terminal Reality's Ghostbusters, which made its debut in the UK last week. The ghost bustin' reunion was not enough to topple the "go anywhere, kill everything" game, and managed to secure the bronze with a third place showing. It should be noted that this is the all-format charts, and with it being a PS3 exclusive in the territory (Xbox 360 owners do have options, though), third is pretty impressive for a game on just one platform (excluding Wii Fit). As for second place, The Sims 3 dropped down from its cushy throne last week thanks to a 49% decline in sales. Don't feel too bad for the game, though -- it did have the best PC launch in EA's history, you know.
World of Warcraft trends big on Twitter video games
TweetMyGaming is a site started up by our friends over at gamerDNA (they routinely contribute to our sister site Massively, including sharing some great information on WoW's demographics), and while the site is designed to track all mentions of video games on Twitter, one game has more or less dominated the discussion since the site debuted about a month ago. Well, actually, it was The Sims 3 -- apparently as big as World of Warcraft is, it still can't stop EA's Sims series for sheer popularity (or top the series in sales). But still, WoW is sitting at a respectable number two in tweets, and watching the feed go by over on the game's page lets you in on all the different slices of the game's community, from the hardcore raiders to the folks just trying to grab some time to play.Of course, all of the values on the site are constantly changing, and we're sure they're still tweaking the formula of how games move up and down the list -- The Sims 3 is coming hot off of its release a few weeks ago, and while WoW has a vibrant twitter community for sure, the news about mounts and the new patch 3.2 information last week probably helped keep it up on the radar (just wait and see what happens over BlizzCon -- I wouldn't be surprised to see WoW-related topics trending over Twitter at large).But WoW is definitely a game that people talk about no matter what's in the news lately. Interesting, but not surprising, that it's holding its own even among the trendiest games on Twitter.
Sims 3 has best EA PC launch ever
Just in case you forgot: The Sims is a huge, huge franchise. Just how huge was demonstrated last week when The Sims 3 sold 1.4 million units, making it the best PC game launch in EA's history. If you're still not convinced of the hugeness: The iPhone version of the game became the top-selling paid iPhone app, even with its $9.99 price tag, in about 18 hours.So just remember, kids: When someone tells you that PC gaming is dead, your mom's the one giving it CPR.
TUAW at E3: The Sims 3 for iPhone
The Sims 3 pretty faithfully recreates the Sims experience on Apple's handhelds, albeit in a more streamlined version. While the handheld port avoids a lot of the new complexity of the latest PC release, the core Sims experience is still here -- you can create a Sim, give it a personality and a house, and then help your little avatar live its life, from going to work to following goals and dreams to completion.To a relatively new Sims player (I've never been a huge fan of the games), the variety of things to do here is pretty impressive. There's the usual tasks around your house -- eating, cleaning, sleeping, and so on -- but as you play, your Sim comes up with new goals to lust after, and it's your job to make sure those things happen, all while trying to preserve your Sim's health and sanity. For instance, just a minute into playing, my Sim suddenly got it in his head that he wanted to "use someone else's shower" (which seems like an exceedingly creepy goal to have, actually), but instantly I started thinking about all the things I had to do to complete it: go to town, meet someone, get invited to their house, and then somehow find an opportunity to jump in the shower.
30 Rock passes along wise Sims parenting advice
Listen. We really wanted to make the focus of this post the humorous nod to EA and Maxis' life-emulator The Sims that was featured on last night's episode of 30 Rock. It's one of our favorite shows, making a reference to one of our most beloved franchises, and ... well, it actually teaches us a valuable lesson about parenting. You can check out Liz Lemon's sagacious suggestion on Hulu (it's around the 1:20 mark).Yes, we'd love to focus on that, but unfortunately, we find it difficult to write about 30 Rock on our humble gaming blog without instead turning your attention to Werewolf Bar Mitzvah. If you've got time to watch both of these clips, please do -- if you only have time for one, it's hard for us to endorse anything except Tracy Jordan's lupine magnum opus.[Via Kotaku]
The Sims 3 lets players make their own movies
embed allowscriptaccess="never" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.viddler.com/simple/92909cdd/" width="580" allowfullscreen="true" name="viddler_92909cdd"> If locking your Sims in doorless rooms with little more company than a hot stove just doesn't seem like enough content for a game, then know that EA is upping the ante in The Sims 3. Instead of subjecting your Sims to your cruel whims just for the fun of it, you can now turn your dastardly behavior into actual machinima, courtesy of an included movie tool set.
The Sims 3 marketing is impossible to miss
If there is a green diamond overhead, chances are your eyeballs have just been made victim of Electronic Arts' latest media blitz. EA's marketing team has apparently been working overtime, papering city skylines with posters, banners and billboards hyping The Sims 3, which is expected to devour gamer free time with vampiric tenacity in June. Clearly delicacy is a lost art, though with profits in freefall, subtlety may be a luxury the mega-publisher simply can't afford.[Via Kotaku & The Simmers Club]
GDC09: Upcoming EA iPhone game list fully revealed, screens and info on Tiger
Just before the deluge of GDC 2009 news started this week, Travis Boatman, VP of worldwide studios at EA Mobile, confirmed the upcoming release of a veritable smörgåsbord of EA franchises coming to the iPhone. Today, we have confirmation from Meghan Rathman (representing EA) of the exact titles on the way to the iPhone/iTouch as well as a handful of screens from Tiger Woods PGA Tour. Unfortunately, according to Ms. Rathman, the rest of the games in development are "still too early" and don't have screens. Considering the turnaround time on iPhone/iTouch games though, we're willing to bet you'll see those shots by the end of the week pretty soon!The full list of games we received from EA is as follows: Tiger Woods PGA Tour, The Sims 3, FIFA, Madden NFL Football, Spore Creatures, Mystery Mania, Wolfenstein RPG, American Idol, Connect Four, Battleship, Need for Speed, RISK, Monopoly and Clue. Differing from reports at the GDC Mobile event earlier this week, we're seeing the addition of The Sims 3 and Need for Speed. In turn, we're losing the first SSX in two years, Red Alert, NBA Live 10, American Idol, Star Trek. But hey, Tiger Woods!The press release from EA on Tiger Woods PGA Tour tells us that the game is of the "touch" rather than of the "shake" variety, comes with achievements and offers a way to compare achievements with your friends. Of the key features listed, notably missing is "playing against friends wirelessly," though it does promise the ability to "affect your ball spin direction" using your finger. Those are comparable features, right? We'll keep on EA and let you know as soon as we find out more on their upcoming iPhone/iTouch assault.%Gallery-48706%
Sims iPhone shows off in-game purchasing, personalized music
While ex-Joystiqer Ross Miller and Engadget Editor-in-Chief Josh Topolsky are busy liveblogging Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 preview event in Cupertino, we're here (well, all over) disseminating various gaming-related information you need to know. For instance, Travis Boatman, Vice President of Worldwide Studios for EA, took the stage this morning to discuss the forthcoming Sims iPhone game. Though details are scant, the liveblog is telling us that, "They're showing off a character buying some things in-game," and, "They're playing music off of the device in the game." We're wont to believe that second part means you're able to play music that's saved on your phone from within The Sims iPhone world. Apparently, claims that the iPhone is "the new gaming platform" aren't so far off after all, eh?
Will Wright to keynote SIGGRAPH 2009
There's just something about Will Wright that makes us melt. His choice in games. His geeky good looks. His ability to play god. Whatever it is, maybe the esteemed game designer will shed some light on our infatuation when he takes the stage as the keynote speaker at SIGGRAPH 2009. His presence marks an "expanded" gaming focus for the CGI tech fest, which normally centers on what's new and bleeding edge with all things graphics. The topic of Wright's discussion has not yet been released, though we'll be listening with bated breath when the show opens its doors in New Orleans in early August.
Fluent in Simlish? Unemployed writer? EA has a job for you
The Sims 2 website has a job posting seeking experienced freelance writers for "a variety of projects." This variety includes, but is not limited to: game manuals, in-game text and marketing copy. They would also prefer writers that live near the Sims HQ in Redwood Shores, California. Applicants must have a love for the Sims and should email their resume, along with two professional writing samples, to MaxoidDrea[AT]ea[dawt]com.Times are tough, and most of us don't automatically get a selection of jobs by reading a newspaper or checking the computer like those Sims. Best of luck to the applicants.[Via Twitter] [Image]
The Sims 3 delayed to early June, non-PC versions later
It looks like the February 20 release date for The Sims 3 is definitely not going to happen. EA has announced that the game has been delayed until June 2, so you'll be starting your third virtual life over three months later than anticipated. While the game will also be released on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPod Touch and mobiles, the press release only mentions a release date for the PC version.If you expect this to prevent the game from selling scary amounts, you're dreaming. No doubt we'll be hearing a lot more of this game in the run up to June. In the meantime, why not rediscover your love for the series and set a family on fire in The Sims 2. That's the point of the game, right?
New Sims 3 trailer shows you how to create a Sim, yet again
Look, there's not a lot we can tell you about this. With something like 100 million copies of the Sims, Sims 2 and their various expansions sold worldwide and you, dear reader, being a person with at least a rudimentary knowledge of gaming, there's a good chance you know both what a Sim is and how they are made. This video isn't going to blow your mind or anything. The graphics look good, it has a pretty groove-tacular soundtrack and your mom will actually contemplate upgrading her PC to play it. Electronic Arts also released three new images, which you can see in the gallery below. %Gallery-18710%Download in HD (10MB)
Reminder: NSMB DS Lite and 3 games up for grabs
Hey folks, you like free stuff, right? Of course you do! So have you checked out our latest giveaway yet? Well, if you haven't, you should, as we've got plenty of goodies up for grabs. Head right on over to the giveaway post here and see how to enter. Best of luck to you all and thanks for reading!
Wrath Dailies: The Way to His Heart...
WoW Insider is happy to announce a new series of posts focusing on the daily quests Wrath of the Lich King has to offer. We'll get a few of these out each week until we have a comprehensive library of every daily quest you can do.First up is a fun daily in which you get to mate a Reef Bull and a Reef Cow in the Howling Fjord.I'll just wait to let the goal of this quest sink in for a minute.Sunk? Great. Moving on.This daily will raise your reputation with the Kalu'ak by 500 and give you around 7g. You can get the daily from Anuniaq located at 24, 58 in the Howling Fjord. It is one of the few that will raise your rep with the Kalu'ak, so you'll want to be sure that you complete it every day. You need to be level 70 to complete the daily. If you complete it while leveling it will give you around 20,000 experience.Before you can do this daily you need to complete Swabbin' Soap from Scuttle Frostprow. And to be able to do that you need to finish the chain of quests from Orfus of Kamagua. So basically to do this daily you need to do everything available around the Ancient Lift in the Howling Fjord.
